Walden wants study of police force merger

WALDEN — Village officials are trying to spark townwide talks on police consolidation by requesting bids on a feasibility study.

Meghan E. Murphy

WALDEN — Village officials are trying to spark townwide talks on police consolidation by requesting bids on a feasibility study.

While working on its requests for an engineer, accountant and other contractors, the board decided to add a feasibility study to the list, Walden Mayor Brian Maher said. The request for proposals was published Friday.

"Why not put ourselves out there to get the conversation going?" Maher said.

Walden and the Town of Montgomery engaged in consolidation talks in 2009. They went nowhere. Maher said those drafting the plan had too much at stake in the process.

"We only served to protect everyone's jobs and not look at what true consolidation would bring," Maher said.

Maher also wants to see a plan on merging all four of the police departments in the town — Village of Maybrook, village and town of Montgomery, Village of Walden.

Maher said he doesn't have enough facts yet to know whether consolidation is a good idea.

"I really would love to see experts from the outside come in and say: 'This is what we need,'" Maher said. "These are the facts. This is how much money could be saved."

Maher has invited leaders from Maybrook and the town and village of Montgomery to a meeting to review the bids. Bids are due by March 13.

Maybrook Mayor Dennis Leahy said he's willing to hear what the parties have to say.

"If I sit down and find out that it would be better for the residents, then we'll look at it and see where we stand," Leahy said.

Town of Montgomery Supervisor Mike Hayes could not be reached for comment. Village of Montgomery Mayor Steve Brescia declined to comment via text message.